“How long does it take to fix depression?”

Unfortunately, there is not an easy answer to this question as there are many factors to consider. I do not use the term "fix", but instead I talk about "managing" depression. Therapy can be very helpful in learning to identify and challenge irrational thoughts, learn the social rhythms (routines) to manage your specific behaviors, figure out and change situational issues causing depression, and find ways to motivate for tasks, for example. However, the success of therapy alone depends on the severity of your depression. Some people cannot manage their symptoms without medication management. That process can take a minimum of a couple months to find the right dosage, if the 1st medication works, but longer should you need to try multiple medications.

it varies but it can be defeated!

That is such a tough question to answer. A lot of factors go into why we are experiencing depression and therefore how to go about treating it can be extremely variable and individually based. A person's readiness for change, both cognitively and emotionally, is generally the most important marker I have found in guessing at how long it will take for things to be different. There really is not an exact answer of how long this journey may be for you. Having a good support system is really important though, such as friends and/or family, a counselor/therapist, and/or doctor/psychiatrist is a pretty solid team.

Depression has many variables. Patients with depression who utilize a combination of medication and cognition-behavior therapy usually see significant results in 12 sessions.

A course of cognitive behavioral therapy could be effective for the treatment of your depression in as little as 3 months.